Saturday, January 21, 2012

Wolfe County, KYLloyd's official map of the State of Kentucky, 1862Image from Library of Congress

On November 3, 1868, elections were held in the Eighth Congressional District* for the office of Representative in the 40th Congress. The candidates were Sydney M. Barnes, a Republican and George M. Adams, a Democrat. Adams won the election by a majority of 462 votes.

Barnes subsequently contested Adams' election, stating that it was obtained by gross irregularity, unfairness, and fraud. He also challenged the legality of certain votes, claiming they were cast by former Confederates who were ineligible to vote in elections, "under the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the constitution and laws of the State of Kentucky."

During the investigation that followed, a number of people were questioned and gave affidavits in regard to voters in their respective counties who had served in the Confederate Army or had supported the Southern cause.

Posted are the names of the election officers for each precinct, followed by the names of Confederates as they were given, for Wolfe County, KY.

James C. Stamper… acted with the rebel party during the whole time of the war, and up to the present, and said Fallon, at the beginning of the war, set out to act with the Union party, and advocated Union principles until about the time of the flight of Breckenridge, though Eastern Kentucky. saw him in a day or two after that, and he told me he could no longer act with the Union party, for Lincoln had violated the Constitution seventeen times, and our interest were with the South, and he was in favor of Kentucky going with the South. I heard him advocate the doctrine of starving out the army by furnishing them no more men nor money, so that the southern confederacy might succeed and be settled by compromise, for he said it would have to be done that way.(Joseph D. Graham, p. 286)

Jahiel Fallen/FallonFor a short time he (Fallen; MP) advocated the cause of the Union party. He then changed and advocated the cause of the rebel party bitterly. He changed, I think, a shot time after the victory of the rebels at Bull Run. He has, from that time to the present, advocated the rebel cause, so far as I know.I never heard it denied or questioned that he was a rebel after the battle of Bull Run.(J. J. Swetnam, p. 286)

(in the rebel army or in arms with the rebels)G. B. SwangoJames CoxEdmund LittleFielder (Fielding) CoxJames M. Kash

(rumored to be in arms with the rebels and most of them in the rebel army)Calvin SwangoJohn CoxFrank ColdironA. B. LandrumWilliam A. BeaverWilliam BrewerThomas Asberry

(not in the army but in arms with the rebels)William BuchannonL/J. B. CombsGeorge Asberry

Reputation says that when General Nelson came into Wolfe County with his army, in 1863, that Combs, Asberry and Buchanan, as soon as they heard it, gathered their guns, went up into Perry County, and formed or attached themselves to an armed company of about two hundred men; then said company and said men marched back to the town of Jackson, in Breathitt County, and a large number of the company broke open the store of Thomas Sewell, a Union man, and robbed it, robbed Sewell's bee gums and killed some of his hogs, and waylaid the road to kill Union soldiers, if any should come along. Reputation says they so staid in arms a week or two, and reputation further says, that afterwards J. B. Combs waylaid the road with a band of armed rebels to kill the Union home guards.(W. L. Hurst, pp. 216/217)

To my knowledge, I never knew any of them to have been in the army; my cause for calling them rebels was that they were all accused of feeding and harboring rebel guerillas during the war, except C. W. Stamper.(Stephen Tolson, p. 210)

C. W. StamperStamper acted with the rebels from the beginning of the war up to January, 1864, and was a rebel during the war; he then quit them and joined the Union army; and since he quit the Union since he has acted with the rebel party, since the war... There was a guerilla in that neighborhood called Stricklin; he, Stricklin, stole so much from the rebel citizens in the neighborhood that he, Stamper, with others, arrested Stricklin and delivered him to the Union forces, and Stricklin was shot by the Union forces and Stamper had to leave on account of it, and when he left he joined the Union army; I cannot answer why he returned to the rebel party again after the war.(Stephen Tolson, pp. 209/210)

G. W. LongI know G. W. Long. The general rumor of the country was that he was a rebel. I know not what party he belonged to during the war of my own knowledge. He was deputy sheriff of said county (Wolfe, MP) since the war. I heard a few Yankees say that they did not like to be dunned by a rebel that was opposed to law and order during..... The intimation was that if he came into our neighborhood collecting taxes, they would bushwack him. It was general rumor that he had harbored Henry Wells and red James Spencer, that murdered Miles Kincaid, at his rock house in his bed. This was in the same neighborhood where the threats were made. The general rumor was that they murdered Kincaid; and I know that wells and Spencer were rebel guerillas.[Thomas J. Treadway, p. 189)

Jerry KingI have just examined the poll-books, and I find the name of Jerry King set down as voting for Barnes, on the Campton precinct poll-book. King is generally reputed to have been in the rebel army during the early part of the war, and he is generally reputed to have been in the Union army during the latter part of the war, under the command of Captain F. M. Vaughn, and he is reputed to have received an honorable discharge from the Union army, and to have served out his time in said Union army, and he has claimed to be a Union man and acted and voted with the Union or republican party ever since the war, so far as my knowledge extends.Reputation says he was a very desperate fellow, and very wild and outbreaking, while in arms with the rebels; and general reputation says he was equally fierce and ferocious against the rebels after he joined the Union army, and by reputation; I don't now remember how he came to leave the rebels or join the Union forces.(W. L. Hurst, p. 216)

Edmon CollinsI know only that Edmon Collins, one of the persons I have named as rebel soldiers, told me that he had joined and was in the rebel army, and got his thumb or finger shot off in battle while in said army, but my recollection is that he told me that while he was in the rebel army the Union soldiers took him prisoner, and to get released from them he joined the Union army and served with them some time. (voted for Adams. MP)(W. L. Hurst, p. 216)

Elisha ChambersI remember that reputation says that Elisha Chambers was not in the rebel army, but was frequently in arms with the rebels and frequently piloted rebels when passing through his neighborhood.(W. L. Hurst, p. 217)

(rumored to be in arms with the rebels and most of them in the rebel army)Robert TaylorE. ChambersJ. M. OliverPreston HollonW. H. TuttJohn CoxBrack BrewerJ. T. TuttA. CongletonJoht. DobsonGranville Allen

James A. and David S. SpencerThe two Spencers were rebels. The other two officers were radicals, and served with Colonel Barnes in his regiment (8th KY Inf. MP). Profitt and Kincaid were Union men during and since the war. The other two were rebels during and since the war. David Spencer was in the rebel army and James Spencer was a rebel sympathizer. I saw him (David Spencer) while he was a prisoner, wearing the rebel uniform, and he told me he had been in the rebel army. He went back to the rebel army after he was captured... I have heard David Spencer talk a good deal about the war. He told me he had been in several battles and skirmishes. I do not recollect the names of them. James Spencer had but little to say about it any way, but lived out in the cliff and run with the rebels and guerrillas a good deal.(Thomas J. Treadway, p. 188)

Levi Cash(Justice of the Peace in Morgan Co. KY before the Civil War. County judge of Wolfe Co. KY during the 1868 elections)

Rebel sympathizer, in sentiment a rebel, and wished the rebellion to succeed.(Hurst, p. 214)

I have heard it rumored and reported that he lived in a rebel neighborhood, where bands of guerillas used, roamed, and harbored, and staid, and I have heard it rumored that he did not give the Union men or Union forces any information of the whereabouts and conduct of said rebel guerillas or rebel soldiers. (W. L. Hurst, p. 215)

The rumor is that he was a rebel. This is the general rumor.(Thomas J. Treadway, p. 189)

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Toward the end of the Civil War, shots rang out in Osborne’s Little Holler, near Flat Gap in Johnson County, Kentucky. The victim of this shooting was James T. Patterson, a former 2nd Lieutenant in Co. K, 5th KY Mounted Infantry, CSA.

Who was Patterson and what led up to this incident? He was born circa 1827 in Tennessee, possibly in Hawkins County. Nothing is known about his parents and his early years are shrouded in mystery. Before he reached the age of 20, Patterson married Nancy Chase, who was the daughter of Ambrose and Sarah Chase of Ryecove, Scott County, Virginia. 12 years Patterson’s senior, Nancy had been previously married for a brief time to Canaday Carter, who had died within a few short months after their marriage in 1838.

About 1847, the Pattersons moved to Greenup County, Kentucky, where James may have found work in one of the local furnaces. A number of Nancy Patterson’s family members had made the move from Scott County, Virginia to Greenup as well. Only a few households away, two of Nancy’s nephews, William and Henry P. Estep, were living with Edward Osborne.

In 1850, the family included three young children, James, age 9, Serena, age 7 and Francis Melvin, age 4. The Pattersons remained in Greenup until 1853, when they moved to Johnson County, Kentucky. Three years later, on October 27, 1856, Patterson bought a 40 acre farm on Osborne's Little Creek of Mudlick Creek from James E. Williams for $40. It was here where Patterson settled with his family. During the same year, Patterson and his nephew William Estep had 160 acres surveyed at Osborne Branch in Johnson County, KY, not far from Andrew J. Osborne’s residence. In 1857, Patterson added another 50 acre tract to his land holdings which was located on Mud Lick. He farmed, grew corn, and kept a cow and hog – things were progressing well for the Patterson family.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, James T. Patterson was still in possession of his 40 acre property, the value of which had increased $25 over the past four years, possibly by improvements made to the land. As before, the family kept a cow and hog. Corn was planted and raised and by early fall, 18 bushels of corn were harvested which would help sustain the family during the coming winter months.

During this time, Kentucky ended her neutrality and sided with the Union. Patterson, whose heart was with the South, knew it was time to act and made the decision to join the Confederate Army. Accompanied by Henry P. Estep, Patterson made his way to Prestonsburg and joined Captain Andrew J. May's Company, 5th KY Mounted Infantry. He was sworn into the service at West Liberty in Morgan County, KY, on October 21, 1861. Only two days later, the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, part of General "Bull" Nelson's Union force, captured the town and sent May's men fleeing back to Prestonsburg. On November 8, 1861, Captain A. J. May’s men took position on the heights above the narrows of Ivy Creek and awaited the federal forces under Gen. Nelson who were moving up the Big Sandy Valley in order to clear out any Confederate troops. When the Federals discovered and began shelling May’s position, Nelson ordered a regiment up the mountain to attack, and the Confederate line erupted with fire. Eventually outflanked, the Confederates withdrew from their position and escaped. This became known as the Battle of Ivy Mountain.

On Nov. 17, 1861, Captain May was promoted to Lieutenant -Colonel of the 5th KY Infantry. His company became Company A, under the command of Capt. Mynheir. On December 14, 1861, at Camp Recovery, on Middle Creek in Floyd Co. KY, Patterson joined Co. K, 5th KY Mounted Infantry and was elected 2nd Lieutenant. The company was commanded by Captain Daniel Blevins and many of his men, such as Tandy Jones and William Seagraves, Jones’ brother-in-law, as well as his own brother-in-law Andrew J. Osborne, were recruits from Flat Gap and surrounding areas.

Flat Gap area

On January 10, 1862, the 5th KY Infantry participated in the Battle of Middle Creek. Defeated by Colonel James A. Garfield, future president of the United States, the 5th KY Infantry, as part of General Humphrey Marshall’s force, withdrew to Virginia in early February, after a brief stay at Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY. On May 16 and 17, 1862, the 5th KY Infantry was engaged in the Battle of Princeton, present day West Virginia. Subsequently, the regiment returned to their camp on the William Peery farm, east of Jeffersonville (now Tazewell), in Tazewell County, VA.

Change was in the air. It was here that Patterson decided to leave the Confederate army, perhaps as a direct reaction to General Humphrey Marshall’s decision to resign his command on May 22, 1862. Marshall’s adjutant E. O. Guerrant noted that the Kentuckians in Marshall’s brigade declined to reorganize. Additionally, changes had taken place in the 5th KY Infantry and Capt. Blevins’ and Capt. Ratcliff’s companies were consolidated. Consequently, James T. Patterson tendered his resignation on May 25, 1862. It was recommended and accepted by Gen. Humphrey Marshall three days later.

James T. Patterson's resignation from the 5th KY Infantry

By June 6, 1862, Patterson was on his way home to Johnson County, with more than $300 pay in his pocket. During 1862, the Johnson County tax lists show that Patterson’s property decreased by 15 acres and was now valued at $25, which may indicate that Patterson began disposing of his property and was ready to pull up stakes and leave Kentucky. Nevertheless, the family planted and raised another crop of corn and managed to harvest 12 bushels.

Much of Patterson’s subsequent actions during the war remain a matter of speculation. He and his family disappeared entirely from the tax lists in 1863 and thereafter. It appears that Patterson and his family went back to Virginia, quite possibly Rye Cove, sometime after the 1862 harvesting season was over. This may have occurred before the winter set in or in the spring of 1863, when an increase in Union patrols were making it unsafe to remain in Eastern Kentucky. It may have been the final blow when, on April 3, 1863, Henry P. Estep was arrested at his home by William Sparks of the 14th KY Infantry, who also lived in the Flat Gap area. Estep was taken under guard to Union headquarters at Louisa, Lawrence County, KY and charged with being a spy.

While in Virginia, Nancy Patterson gave birth to another child, Martha J., in 1863. At some point, however, the family returned to Johnson County and Patterson is rumored to have joined or formed his own irregular local Confederate home guard unit at Flat Gap. In late 1864, as the war was seemingly turning in favor of the Union and things were beginning to look rather bleak for the Confederates, several members of Patterson’s unit deserted and changed their sympathies toward the Union.

One of these men was Tandy Jones who had served with Patterson in Captain Blevins’ company of the 5th KY Infantry. The company rolls indicate that he deserted his unit on January 9, 1862 and may have been accompanied by his brother-in-law William Seagraves. Jones, who was not in arms, was arrested on Jan. 10, 1862, by the 14th KY Infantry under command of Col. Laban T. Moore, the day of the Battle of Middle Creek and promptly forwarded to Camp Chase. Federal troops caught up with Seagraves at a later date and, after being taken to Camp Buell, Colonel James A. Garfield's headquarters at Paintsville, Johnson County, KY, he was conveyed to Camp Chase as well. On April 8, 1862, by order from General James A. Garfield, Jones and Seagraves were discharged from Camp Chase after taking the oath of allegiance on April 7, 1862.

Oath of Allegiance, Tandy Jones

By all appearances, Jones kept the terms of his oath and never served officially in another Confederate unit although it is rumored that he temporarily joined Sid Cook’s 7th Confederate Cavalry and subsequently, by all indications, was a member of Patterson’s home guard unit.

If Jones, indeed, changed his allegiance in favor of the Union it may have been partially motivated by the fact that his brother served in the 14th KY Infantry, ironically the very unit that arrested him at Middle Creek. Another contributing factor may have been that he lived in a more Union dominated area at Flat Gap. No less than 17 Union soldiers, all members of Co. D, 14th KY Infantry, lived in his neighborhood, including William Sparks, as well as John Wesley Witten who was a member of the Capitol Guards, a State unit primarily engaged in pursuing bushwackers and guerrillas.

At any rate, Tandy Jones’ decision to join the Union side angered many of his former Confederate comrades. A concerted effort was made to keep him in line. A group of about 15 men led by Hayden Ferguson of Morgan County, a lieutenant in Co. F, 5th KY Infantry, (and a nephew of John T. Williams, Captain of Co. A, 2nd KY Mounted Rifles) decided to arrest Private Jones for desertion. The group went to the top of the hill above Jones' house and found him as he was returning from a nearby sulfur spring. While in the army, Jones contracted dysentery and, believing that drinking water from a sulfur spring would cure his disease. Jones made an effort to escape and crossed a rail fence. When he had reached the top, he was shot in the back where his gallowses crossed. He died instantly. Among those who participated in this incident, aside from Lt. Hayden Ferguson, were James T. Patterson, Andrew J. Osborne and William (Will) Jayne. The names of the other participants have remained unknown to this day.

Tandy Jones’ death created a disturbance among his family, friends and neighbors, as well as among some of the members of the home guard unit, the effects of which could be felt for years after. According to one local historian, the emotional temperature arose to such a great magnitude that a group was organized "for the purpose of safety and to execute the executor."

The first target was James Patterson. According to accounts, one afternoon, a stranger arrived at Flat Gap and inquired in the community as to where “Mr. Patterson” lived.

Patterson was up the hollow near his home on the south west side of the hill, skinning bark from a hickory tree to make shoe laces when the man appeared. According to a second account, he was accompanied by a group of men who confronted Patterson, with full intensions of torturing him to death. Weapons were drawn and Patterson pleaded for forgiveness and mercy and begged for his life. In disgust they shot him and left Patterson for dead.

Despite being gravely wounded, Patterson was still able to move. In desperation to survive, he made his way down Wolfpen Branch where he was found by some of his soldier comrades and conveyed by sled to the house of Ferdinand Ferguson. Blood stains on the porch bore a visible testimony of the violent incident for many years later. Surrounded by friends, Patterson seemed to be in a safe place, for the time being.

Ferdinand Ferguson House

Frontsteps of the Ferdinand Ferguson House

The bloodshed continued. A few days after the assault on Patterson, three strange men passed by the house of Andrew J. Osborne and shot him while he was working in his garden. It is believed by some that his death was directly related to his involvement in the killing of Tandy Jones and was an act of revenge.

According to local lore that has been passed down in the Flat Gap area, Patterson died three days after the attack, despite efforts to save him, and was buried in an unmarked grave on the ridge back of Beech Branch overlooking both Laurel Creeks. From that day on until the present date, Osborne's Little Hollow became known as Patterson's Creek. Patterson's wife Nancy and her children immediately departed Johnson County and returned to Ryecove, Scott Co. VA. They were escorted by Ephraim Salyer, who lived on Jack's Creek, near Flat Gap.

Surprisingly, James Patterson’s story does not end here, however. Subsequent records show that Patterson in fact survived the attack on his life or that his son James was the victim of mistaken identity and was shot on that fateful day at Osborne's Little Hollow instead of his father and later died. No records exist of him after the Civil War.

Whatever the case may be, James T. Patterson was very much alive. On August 30, 1866, he married Olly (Olivia) Scarbury, a daughter of David Scarbury (Scarborough/Scarberry) and Sarah Mullins. The ceremony took place at the house of Olly’s brother-in-law, William Fraley and his wife Sarah, in Lawrence County, KY.

James T. Patterson and Olly Scarbury Marriage Record

Shortly after the wedding, the couple left Kentucky and moved to Hawkins County, TN. By 1870, their place of residence was in the 5th District, New Canton Post Office. The household included two young daughters, Sarah Ann, age 3, and Laura Alice, age 1, both born in Tennessee, as well as Martha J., Patterson, who was seven years old by now. Patterson’s second marriage, as well as the fact that Martha was living with James and his new wife, may indicate that Nancy had died since the incidence at Osborn's Little Hollow. After 1870, James Patterson disappears from the records without a trace, suggesting he may have died before reaching 50 years of age.

Subsequently, his wife Olivia married an unknown Thompson, but this union was short lived. By 1878, Olivia had returned to Lawrence County, KY, where she tied the knot for the third time, with John Jordan, on April 14, 1878. Her two daughters Sarah Ann and (Laura) Alice Patterson were listed as Jordan’s stepdaughters in the 1880 census.

Sadly, the fate of Nancy and James Patterson’s children James, Serena, Francis Melvin, and Martha J. remain up to this day, unknown.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

In November 1862, the District of Eastern Kentucky was created as part of the Military District of Kentucky which belonged to the Department of the Ohio. It included the state's nine easternmost counties of Lewis, Greenup, Carter, Boyd, Lawrence, Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd, and Pike.

District of Eastern Kentucky Commanders

Col. Jonathan Cranor, 40th OVI, Nov. 17, 1862 - Feb. 5, 1863

Brig. Gen. Julius White, Feb. 5, 1863 - Aug. 1863

Col. George W. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, Aug. 15, 1863 - Nov. 6, 1863

On Nov. 6, 1863, the district's designation changed to the Sub-District of Eastern Kentucky. Colonel George W. Gallup retained command until April 10, 1864, at which point the sub-district was abandoned.

In order to maintain control over such a relatively large area of mostly rugged terrain, which also included a nearly 200 mile long border with Virginia as well as a number of mountain passes, the Union troops engaged in frequent scouts throughout the counties in their district. On some occasions, the union troops operated in areas outside their district when necessary, such as neighboring Wayne and Logan counties, VA or Morgan and Breathitt Counties, KY.

As a rule, most of the captured prisoners were brought to Louisa, held for a short time and then transported by steamboat and train to Camp Chase, Ohio.

Beginning late August 1863, prisoners were taken to McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, a newly established military prison which was only intended for the transient reception of pows. McLean Barracks was located at 264 West Third Street, between Western Row (now Central Ave.) and John Street, near the main downtown area of Cincinnati. It consisted of a large three-story brick building, which, until 1861, had housed the females of the German St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum.

Inspection reports by A. M. Clark, Surgeon and Acting Medical Inspector of Prisoners of War, provide us with a glimpse of the living conditions at McLean Barracks.The first floor was used as quarters and kitchen for the guard. The second floor contained the office and a room about fifteen by twenty by twelve feet in dimensions, for the detention of prisoners. This room had three windows, and was well heated by a large stove. Bunks for twenty-four men were arranged in three tiers around the room. On this floor was also the prisoners' kitchen, containing a large cooking-stove and an apparatus for heating water. Water was abundant which was supplied by the city water-works. The cooking was done by a detail from the prisoners.

A large room on the third floor, about twenty-five by thirty-five by ten feet in dimensions, provided additional prisoners'quarters. The room was well lit and ventilated by windows on three sides and warmed by two large stoves. Since no bunks were provided, the prisoners spread blankets on the floor to sleep. The sink was located in the small back yard which was a deep vault and very foul smelling. The privy building was in similar filthy condition.

Hospital accomodations were not provided but a medical officer visited the prison daily and attended to patients who required temporary care. More severe cases were transported to Cincinnati's Marine Hospital.

Food was in good supply but nothing extraordinary beyond the standard military rations. Those of more refined tastes were allowed to purchase articles under supervision of the commanding officer.

McLean Barracks had the capacity to house 150 prisoners but rarely did this number exceed half that many. The largest influx of pows occured during the month of November 1863, when 137 prisoners were taken to Mclean Barracks. These arrived daily, in small squads. In general, most of the prisoners did not remain for long - as soon as fifty or seventy-five were collected they were sent off to Camp Chase or some other permanent prison.

Below is a list of prisoners who were captured in Eastern Kentucky and taken to McLean Barracks.

List of prisoners of War confined at McLean Barracks, Cincinnati, O.

Given are first and last name of prisoner, rank and unit, place and date of capture, name of arresting officer, date of confinement, additional remarks.It may be noted that "released" does not mean the prisoner was free to go. It simply indicates that he left McLean Barracks and was transferred to another prison.

About Me

Marlitta H. Perkins:
In the early 90's, after visiting the grave of my gg-grandfather Henry Clay Perkins, a Civil War veteran in the 14th KY Infantry, the focus of my work dramatically shifted from artistic pursuits to historic research of the Civil War, with an emphasis on Eastern Kentucky. Since 1996, I have given presentations on and participated as panelist in a number of Civil War seminars and roundtables. I've organized memorial services, catalogued burial sites and designed a number of exhibits, the latest in 2005 at the Big Sandy Heritage Center in Pikeville, KY. My research has been published in the Treeshaker, the South Fork News, The Gray Line, Cump & Company, etc. The results of my latest discovery, a grave robbery in 1864 at Camp Chase, was published in the Columbus Dispatch in fall of 2004. I have worked as military specialist with a number of local Eastern Kentucky historical societies, and am currently finishing a regimental history on the 14th KY Infantry.
Other interests include historic preservation and photography.